The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones recently received firmware update 2.4.1, prompting concerns among users regarding potential performance degradation. Many speculated that the update might negatively impact features like microphone quality and noise cancellation, even suggesting a deliberate attempt by Sony to encourage sales of the newer XM6 model. This review aims to dispel these concerns by rigorously testing the performance of the WH-1000XM5 after the 2.4.1 update. We delve into a detailed analysis of microphone clarity during calls in various environments, evaluate the active noise cancellation (ANC) capabilities, and compare sound quality across the frequency spectrum with the previous firmware version, 2.3.1.Through comprehensive testing, we meticulously examined the impact of firmware 2.4.1 on key features. This involved both subjective listening tests and objective measurements using a decibel meter to analyze changes in noise cancellation and frequency response. Our findings provide a clear picture of whether the update has significantly affected the overall listening experience and address the concerns raised by users regarding any deliberate performance downgrade. The results offer valuable insights for current WH-1000XM5 owners considering the update and shed light on Sony's firmware update practices.
Pros And Cons
- Excellent microphone pickup, even in noisy environments.
- Active noise cancellation is either similar or slightly stronger than previous firmware versions.
- Minor inconsistencies in sound quality detected, possibly due to microphone rig coupling.
- Sound quality differences between firmware versions (2.3.1 and 2.4.1) are hard to discern.
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Microphone Performance After Update
The recent Sony WH-1000XM5 firmware update, 2.4.1, sparked concerns about potential performance degradation. Many users voiced worries about the update impacting various features. This review focuses on assessing the impact of 2.4.1 on microphone clarity and background noise cancellation during phone calls.
After thorough testing in both quiet and noisy environments (including a bustling café and windy conditions), the microphone pickup remained exceptional. The clarity of voice transmission was consistent with the previous firmware, 2.3.1. Background noise filtering continued to operate effectively, maintaining the high standard expected from these headphones.
Active Noise Cancellation Comparison
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) performance was also evaluated to determine any differences between firmware versions 2.3.1 and 2.4.1. The tests suggested very minor improvements with 2.4.1, although the difference was subtle.
Initial observations indicate that ANC might be slightly stronger in the newer firmware, although more rigorous testing might reveal more significant differences. The decibel meter readings seem to support this observation, providing additional quantitative analysis.
Sound Quality Analysis: Subtle Differences
A detailed comparison of sound quality across the frequency spectrum revealed minor variances between firmware versions. While there are slight differences in mid and high-frequency tuning, particularly around 1.2kHz, these were not easily discernible during casual listening.
Frequency sweeps showed some variation, with the newer firmware potentially providing slightly brighter sound. However, this difference was so marginal that the subjective listening experience remained essentially unchanged between versions. Possible inconsistencies in microphone coupling are suspected to contribute to the variance observed.
Conclusion: No Evidence of Planned Obsolescence
Based on this thorough review, there's no conclusive evidence that Sony deliberately downgraded the WH-1000XM5's performance with firmware 2.4.1 to encourage sales of the XM6. Microphone performance, active noise cancellation, and sound quality remain largely unaffected, maintaining the high standards of the WH-1000XM5.
While subtle differences were noted in sound frequency responses, these changes were not significant enough to impact the overall listening experience. The discrepancies are likely due to minor variations in testing methodology rather than a deliberate performance reduction. This suggests that Sony is not implementing planned obsolescence through firmware updates, which is good news for current WH-1000XM5 owners.